The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-03-10

Beecher was complete. Mr. Tilton obtained
possession of his infant child in its mothers alb
sence and then the mother returned 10 him. At
this time Mr.. Tllton had retired from the editor
ship of the Independent to which, however, he
still continued TO contribute, and was editor-in-
chief of the Brooklyn Union, of which Mr..
Bowen was one of the proprietors. To Mr..
Bowen came stories prejudicial TO Tiltons moral
character, and he meditated dismissng him. An
interview was held Dec 20, 1870. in the course
of which the conversation passed from the i'm
mediate topic to the necessity of frequent no
tees of Plymouth Church and it's pastor In the
Brooklyn Union Tilton objected, and charged
Mr.. Beecher with "dishon orable conduct toward
his wife" Bringing pen and paper, MIR. Bowen
invited Tilton to write letter demanding that
Mr.. Beecher resign from Plymouth Church and
leave the Christian Union. Tilton did so. Mr..
Bowed took the letter to Mr.. Beecher who read
it and said: "This is sheer insanity; the man is
crazy Soon afterward Tilton was dismissed
from both the positions which he held 1t was
now necessary for him TO submit evidence against
Mr.. Beecher or to confess himself slanderer-
He sought this from his wife. AS to what the
precise confession then obtained from her was
the testimony confiicted. The letter was two
years afterward destroyed. The progress of
events was not rapid Mrs. Triton retracted, in
Mr.. Beecher's presence, every accusation made
against him; Francis ID houlton appeared as the
mutual friend" Mr. Beecher made a tumultu
Gus expression of grief and shame, of which
Mr.. Moulton took down a statement Mr.. Tilton
and Mr.. Beecher met and reconciliation
affected. new paper called the Golden Age
was started, with Tilton at its head, for which
purpose MIR. Beecher and friends Of Mr..
Moulton contributed sums of money. April
2 1872, the ''tripartte covenant between Beech
er, Bowen and Tilton signed, promising
silence as TO the past and good will for the
future. But ugly rumors began to be heard
Ilton aided their distribution. Mr. Beechers
friends became uneasy. and in 1873 he broke
silence with card of denial Tilton was charged
IN the church with being sanderer Of his
pastor, and his name was stricken from the rolls
But more demanded An ecclesiastical
council called poninaly in regard to the
irregularity of this proceeding, really to make
some attempt at an investigation. It's work
amounted TO nothing except to deepen the un-
easy feeling that some great scandal was to be
brought to light. Then Tlton, to clear himself
published the Bacon letter the first of the state
ments preceding the trial, in which he quoted
from Mr.: Beecher's alleged confession of Jan. l.
ISL Mr.. Beecher at once took action and de-
manGed investigation, which six we'll known
members of Plymouth Church were appointed
to conduct Another effort to compromise the
| matter was made in vain. and at last in August,
1874, four years and more after the wrong
charged to have been committed Tilton brought
his suit. The charge of adultery first pub
licly preferred in July, 1874, and the complaint
served in August, when issue was Immediately
joined The trial was begun in January.
1915 Subjects were dealt with extending
over five or six years. About 230 documents
were introduced and analysed More than one
into, and in respect to many of them the sworn
testimony of witnesses in irreconcable dis
agreement Printed in small type. the testi
mony that published filed three thousand
foolscap pages and the report of the proceedings
would fill four five large legal volumes Over 100
distinct rulings on points OF Law were made by
the judge, which were noted by the defendants
counsel, and nearly many questions were
raised and decided during the defendants pre-
sentatlon of his case. Judge Nelson sat upon
the bench The most eminent counsel were en-
ployed either side. For INton appeared Mr.
Pryor, man of vide learning and active mind:
Mr.. Fullerton, a master of the art of cross
questioning. and Mr.. Beach, sharp pithy and
| foreible speaker.
| Mr. Beecher was represented by Mr.. Evarts,
| who gained new laureis AS an advocate before a
| jury Austin Abbott, distinguished for his legal
| learning and the publication bearing his name,
| whose foresight and system were apparent in
! the presentation of the defendants case; Mr..
| Porter, quick to see and decide upon knotty
| points, and Mr.. Tracy, an effective orator. The
| positions of the persons interested, the
differing characteristics of the multi
| tudinous witnesses, the crowds of
/ prominent men from all parts of the country
who packed the courtroom daily, and the whole
sale publicity given by the press all conspired 10
make the trial striking and unpre cedented
| event From January until June the lawyers
struggled aud a curious public gloated over the
daily details of the great scandal Then came
the summing up on each side and the judges
charge. The deliberations OF the jury continued
| for eight DAYS. Ffty-two ballots were taken.
the first and last being nine for Mr. Beecher and
three for Tlton On one ballot the jury stood
| eleven to one, and on another seven to five in
| favor of Mr. Beecher. After the close of this
| trial the matter was taken ND by the grand jury,
| which called Mr.. Beecher a witness. and
| found an indictment against Francis d. Moulton
| for libel The District attorney. however never
brought the case to trial, and after he had Off
cially indicated this decision by entering nolle
| prosequi, Moulton brought suit against Mr..
| Beecher for malicious prosecution. Mr.. Beech
ers counsel defended him vigorously. and Mou-
ton abandoned his suit. Another confession was
| claimed to have been made by Mrs. Triton after
| the trial, which met ey Mr.. Beecher with an
| explicit denial. A great ecclesiastical council
| was held, which exonerated Mr.. Beecher.
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